How to Make a DIY Terrarium

March 20, 2013

It’s a blast from the past! Terrariums, which were hugely popular back in the ’70s and ’80s, are resurfacing again as one of today’s hottest indoor gardening trends. And it’s easy to see why: These self-enclosed, self-sustaining miniature ecosystems are virtually maintenance-free. To jump on the bandwagon, you can pick from plenty of beautiful ready made terrariums, or you can take the DIY route and create your own.

If you decide to take the time to make one for yourself but don’t know how to make a DIY terrarium, what materials you need to fill your terrarium depends on what kind of plants you want to grow. So, if you want to grow a small dessert terrarium, it should be filled with rocks and sand. But if you want to create a rainforest terrarium, it should be filled with soil, moss and other woodsy materials. To make your own basic terrarium with plants that require soil, all you have to do is fill it with the following layers, starting at the bottom and working to the top:

1 inch of gravel or pebbles

1/2 inch of charcoal

Thin layer of sphagnum moss

2 inches of potting soil

Once your layers are set, place your selected plants into the soil and add some decorative elements to give your terrarium some personality. Spray the plants with some water (10 sprays should be enough), and then tightly seal the terrarium lid. Place them in a source of natural light and keep track of the internal temperature with a thermometer. (Make sure it’s ideal for the type of plant you’re growing.) Then just sit back and watch your plants grow!